09 Dec 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Fitness, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Recipes
Tags: , , , , ,
2 Comments

Top 8 Healthy Holiday Recipes

vegan-healthy-holiday-recipe-apple-gingerbread-cake

Do you, like most of us, use the holidays as an excuse to gorge on unhealthy foods?

Are you, like most of us, also making the resolution to get in better shape and see your sexy abs in the New Year?

I’m writing this especially for you!

Let me start by saying that I am a realist and agree that we shouldn’t give ourselves a hard time for splurging sometimes. The holidays are a time of overwhelming temptations. I get it! However, if your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight and get in better shape, then over-doing it too much is really setting yourself up for failure. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I am saying that, quite simply, the less weight you gain before January 1st, the less weight you have to lose.

Being moderate over the holidays is easy to say, more challenging to do. That’s why I wanted to come up with a list of healthy holiday recipes that will make everyone happy, especially yourself in the new year! Filling yourself up with yummy yet healthy dishes will make less room on your plate for those dishes that will contribute to packing on the pounds. So many traditional holiday dishes (vegetarian and some vegan ones included) are stuffed with bad fats/oils, highly processed grains, and refined sugars. The good news is they don’t have to be in order for dishes to be satisfying and delicious! Take a look at my list of top healthy holiday recipes to either follow or get ideas to create your own special recipe. Adding new traditions to the holiday table is a great thing, and you will convince your family and friends to agree when they give your dish a try!

  1. Crustless Mushroom and Chive Quiche from Kirsten Mitchell @veganfueledfitnesscrustless mushroom and chive quiche
  2. Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Garlic Aioli from Oh She Glows!smashed potatoes with avocado garlic avioli
  3. Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf from Oh She Glows!Glazed lentil walnut apple loaf
  4. Ridiculously Delish Roasted Brussels Sprouts  (from my new book, The Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan!)Brussels-Sprouts-Thanksgiving
  5. Vegan Cornbread from The Pretty Beevegan cornbread
  6. Vegan Green Bean Casserole from Oh She Glows!vegan green bean casserole
  7. 1 Bowl Apple Gingerbread Cake from The Minimalist Baker-Apple-Gingerbread-Cake-with-Vegan-Cream-Cheese-Frosting-1-bowl-easy-and-SO-tasty-vegan-gingerbread-cake-christmas
  8. Silk Chocolate Pie from Making Thyme for Health Silk-Chocolate-Pie-vegan-and-gluten-free
    Feel free to share your favorite vegan, healthy holiday recipes as well! Happy Holidays!!!

 

07 Dec 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Fashion, Vegan Product Reviews
Tags: , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Vegan-Friendly Gift Guide 2015

Cruelty-Free-Gift-Guide

If you’re like me, the holidays creep up so fast that I’m always doing at least a few last-minute gift shopping, which can be seriously stressful.

That’s why I wanted to throw out a few ideas for all you conscious shoppers out there. There are so many awesome, cruelty-free companies and products popping up, but here are some of my favorite gift ideas (so far). I gave a wide variety of products and with a wide range of price tags to suit different interests and budgets 🙂 

Adopt Farm Animal Gift (Farm Sanctuary): 

This one is especially heart-warming. To know you are helping save a life and be responsible for a rescued animal be able to live his/her life out safely and happily. There’s no better gift than that! Upon receiving your donation, Farm Sanctuary will send your gift-ee information about his/her OWN special farm animal friend, including his/her story, photograph, and details about your year-round visitation rights.adopt a farm animal program

Gunas Handbags:

For the fashionista in your life! If you’ve never heard of it, Gunas New York is an independent high fashion label with a cause. The company was started in 2008 by designer and animal lover, Sugandh G. Agrawal who believes that animals are NOT meant to be a part of Fashion. Gunas’s belief in the importance of cruelty-free fashion is totally in line with the Sexy Fit Vegan philosophy that we can look and feel good (and be sexy) without harming other living beings. Gunas also won the Best Green Bag at the Independent Designer Handbag Awards, and their Flamingo nabbed one of the featured spots in the September Issue of InStyle Magazine. They are a high fashion label so the prices are not cheap, but the quality and style is worth the price tag. Take a look HERE.

gunas vegan hand bags

Powerootz Superfood Nutritional Shake:

This is such a great gift because it is seriously the tastiest super food protein supplement I have EVER had. (My clients totally agree so I know it’s not just me.) Plus it’s one of the least processed (probably why it tastes so good), yet smooth textured powder on the market. I wrote a whole blog post on it if you want more info why I like it so much). If you have someone in your life who’s in need of breakfast or snack foods that are convenient and will help them be healthier and get in better shape, this is an awesome choice. Just enter the code “ELLA” at checkout to receive an extra 20% off your order too (click HERE to go to the site)!

powerootz Feature-product-

Lookie Lou:

I discovered this cruelty-free company on Happy Cow’s list top vegan-friendly gift ideas. It’s amazing because it’s got such a wide variety of products and prices. Seems like there’s definitely something for everyone here!

Lookie-Lou-vegan-shopping

The Six Weeks To Sexy Abs Meal Plan:

I couldn’t go without including my brand new book! I’m psyched because The Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan is available for pre-sale now, and will be released December 15th in time for the holidays!!! It really is a great resource for losing a few pounds and learning how to adopt a diet plan (different than “dieting”) that will serve us well both short-term AND long-term. Unlike most diets this one is convenient and totally do-able for anyone, even the busiest of us. It has easy-to-follow guidelines and a hundred simple, delicious recipes to go with it. I’m quite the perfectionist and critical of myself, and I’m incredibly thrilled at how it came out and have no doubts it will make a big difference in a lot of people’s lives. If for noone else, definitely get it for yourself to start the New Year off right! (Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble).

Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan

Vegan Cuts Box:

This is just such a perfect concept I had to include it. To be introduced to new, healthy snacks, dropped right at your door, every month is like a dream come true! They do a really great job of including a wide variety of great products. They have both a snack box and a beauty box. This is a fantastic gift and definitely a company you can feel good about supporting as well. 

vegan-cuts gift box

I hope this helps in your pursuit to please your family and friends as this year comes to an end. Feel free to make suggestions as well. Good luck and happy holidays!!!

03 Dec 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Fitness, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews, Vegan Recipes, Vegan-Related Books & Documentaries, Vegan-Related Current Events
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

The Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan

Six-Weeks-to-Sexy-Abs

I’m INCREDIBLY excited to share with you all the launch of my new book, The Six Weeks To Sexy Abs Meal Plan!

John-Salley-and-Ella-Magers

My inspiration for the book came from hearing the most common complaint, “I workout and eat healthy, so why can’t I lose these last few pounds?” over and over for the last 12 years as a fitness professional! Now I finally have my answer in writing to help people answer this question. Having a structured plan is essential to help us give up old, bad habits, and form new, healthy ones that you will be able to enjoy for a lifetime! The Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan gives you that structure. It’s basically an easy to follow formula for a lean, strong, sexy body. This six week meal plan comes with over 100 simple plan-based recipes that I created. They are all both healthy AND delicious. I designed the plan to be practical and do-able, no matter how busy you are, and no matter if you are vegan or not. There is also a supplemental workout routine that goes along with the meal plan.

Before I continue I want to first thank everyone who has supported me throughout the book-writing process over the last 14 months. I want to send a huge thank you to John Salley for writing the forward. And I also want to thank everyone who busy the book during the pre-sale period going on right now – I didn’t realize how important pre-sale numbers are for rankings and the possibility of getting book of the month on Amazon which would be incredible. We’re almost there so your purchase will make a difference (and you will receive the book before anyone else, on the release date of December 15th, in plenty of time for the holiday/New Year!)

Here are some examples of recipes in the plan:

Meal-Plan-CollageFrom left to right: Cinnamon Bun Smoothie, Polenta Pleaser, Chia-ocolate Pudding, Tahini-Topped Roasted Cauliflower Florets, Lusty Lentil Mint Salad, TKO Tofu Omelet with Sweet Potato Hash, Tex Mex Cauliflower Couscous, Bella Broccoli Soup with Quinoa Side, Marry Me Mango Avocado Salad

Believe it or not, these are ALL very simple, whole foods-based, quick and easy dishes to make. Plus they are super satisfying!

The other cool thing about the Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan is that I give you specific guidelines to follow, so you can go out to eat, order in, or make your own recipes, as long as you are following the guidelines you are sticking to the plan and will have success.

If you are using the recipes, I make things even more do-able by providing you with a grocery list at the beginning of each week so you don’t have to figure out what you need. It’s right there for you to take to the store. I also give a description of any food you may be unfamiliar with, along with the best place to buy or order it. Most of the ingredients can be found at your local grocery and/or health food store, but often they are much cheaper to buy online, so I give you those suggestions throughout the plan.

Last, I provide you with a supplemental workout regiment to go with the meal plan. It consists of a combination of cross-training, cardio, and yoga. I mention that if you already have a balanced workout routine you enjoy, you do not have to follow mine in order to get results from the meal plan. If you don’t have a regular exercise regiment, or if you want to try something new, efficient, and effective, give my plan a try! Just remember, what we put in our mouths is what’s going to make the big difference when it comes to changing our bodies in a six-week period of time.

So there you have it, the book in a nutshell. I am excited for it to be in everyone’s hands in less than two weeks!!! (It also makes a great gift :))

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble (paperback and kindle editions).

Thanks again for all the love and support!!!

Six-Weeks-to-Sexy-Abs-Meal-Plan-Book-Jacket

 

 

27 Nov 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Vegan Fitness, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews, Vegan Recipes, Vegan-Related Books & Documentaries, Vegan-Related Current Events
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

No Meat Athlete Fitness Bundle

No Meat Athlete Fitness Bundle

I want to share with you all that Matt Frazier from NoMeatAthlete messaged me a while ago asking if I’d like to join his 2nd annual NoMeatAthlete Plant-Based Fitness Bundle, and I, of course, said yes… I was honored!NoMeatAthleteBundle

The gist of it is that it’s a whole bunch of online veg-friendly fitness and food products (lots of great eCourses and eBooks) available for a big discount for just 5 days.

Click HERE to check it out, but first, here’s a quick run-down…

The list of products and contributors is HUGE! It consists of:

Matt Frazier – Wake Up (eBook + audio), 100 Minutes Faster webinar series, and a ticket to his upcoming live Online Goal-Setting Seminar
Heather Crosby – The YumUniverse 5-day Test Drive Kit 
Robert Cheeke – Shred It! eBook + MP3 audio bonus with Matt Frazier
Thomas Tadlock’s – Vegan10 Day Tummy Tightener
Chef AJ – Ultimate Weight Loss Package: 21 Day Recipe Guide + 4 MP3 audio coaching lessons
Doug Hay – Busy Runner Routine eCourse
Jeff Sanders – The 5AM Miracle eBook and The 5AM Blueprint eCourse
Ella Magers – How To Go Vegan A Beginner’s Guide eBook
Scott Shetler – Plant-Based Performance eBooks (A Compassionate Approach To Fitness and Know Your Strength)
Rich Roll – Jai Seed eCookbook and Jai Meditation program 
Sid Garza-Hillman – Approaching The Natural eBook
Karen Ranzi – Raw Vegan Recipe Fun For Families eBook
Derek Tresize – The Vegan Muscle & Fitness Guide To Bodybuilding Competitions
Whitney Lauritsen – Healthy Organic Vegan on a Budget eBook
Dreena Burton – Plant-Powered 15 eBook

All told that’s $400 worth of products for just $49… crazy! I’m so thrilled to be a part of this awesome offer and to be able to bring such valuable resources to my readers for such an affordable price.

Here are some examples of a few of the products you’ll get:

100-minutes-faster No Meat Athlete BundleYU5daykit5amMiracle

EllaHowToGoVegan  RawVeganRecipeFunforFamilies RichRollJaiDerekVeganMuscleFitnessApproachNatural  Scott02

I’m be sad if you missed out on this special Plant-Based Fitness Bundle, so remember, it is going away forever on Wednesday (Dec 2) at 10am EST. (I got the word that there will be no exceptions.) So if this sounds like something up your alley get it now right HERE!

ENJOY!!!

18 Nov 2015
Vegan Fitness, Vegan-Related Current Events
Tags: , , ,
Leave a comment

Woman Meets Weights Online Summit – Join Me!

Woman Meets Weights Summit

Over the thirteen years I’ve been working with people in the gym, one of the most common fears of women is that they will get bulky by lifting weights.

“I just want to tone up,” and “I’m just looking to get lean,” are two of the most common reactions to lifting weights. There is a fundamental lack of understanding about what lifting weights does to a woman’s body that needs to be established.

So when IFPA Pro David Sean contacted me to be part of the Woman Meets Weights summit I happily agreed to an interview.
This online free fitness summit was created to talk about why women can dominate the weight room, use weights for fat loss, and the
best topic of all – why strong is the new skinny. There will be 21 interviews over 21 days with top fitness experts sharing how the most fit women today use strength training to develop a lean, strong, healthy body and improve their sports performance.
It is so important for the empowerment of women to be throwing weights around, so join the summit and learn how to do it right!
Ready to jump in?!
I really hope you join us! Simply click HERE to learn more and register.
Woman Meets Weights Summit
11 Nov 2015
Vegan Fitness, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Product Reviews
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Delicious Super Food Shake for Super Human Health

Powerootz-Superfood-Shake

Recently, I was lucky enough to get an email from Lisa Hunt, founder of FedUp Foods, asking if I’d like to try a sample of her new Powerootz Superfood Nutritional Shake.

I’m a sucker for trying new plant-based protein and nutrition shakes even though I’m super picky about the flavor, taste, and texture of these powders. I usually end up trying them once and never again.

I seem to always return to my favorite shake I make myself with whole foods. I make it with unsweetened flax milk, frozen banana, almond or peanut butter, flax meal, amla powder (a super food) and sometimes a couple dates and/or vanilla extract. I love the flavor, taste, and texture. Wow, my mouth waters just thinking about it!Drinking vegan protein shake

I couldn’t imagine having this same feeling about ANY protein powder…. until the day the sample of Powerootz Superfood Nutritional Shake came in the mail. I blended it with the same flax milk and frozen banana and poured it in my glass. When I took that first sip I couldn’t have been more delighted and surprised! It actually tasted as delicious and satisfying as my favorite recipe, and it didn’t scream, “I’m a powder!” PLUS it has a ton of superfoods that the shake I make doesn’t contain (AND it contains the amla powder I use).

I was thrilled to learn more about the ingredients of the Powerootz shake. It’s made with a bunch of powerful raw superfoods. In her blog post that gives a thorough account of the superfoods her shake contains, Lisa says, “I went on a hunt for the most powerful and possibly superhumanizing superfoods on the planet and you might be shocked by what I found! I researched the top 15 most powerful superfoods and I think there might be something more than coincidence going on here… Could plants actually make you perform beyond your current capacities? Were herbs, roots, and plants designed specifically to heal, empower, and restore us?”

Powerootz superfoods

In addition to the 1500 mg of raw superfood blend, it also contains detoxifying minerals, has 23 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, and only 3 grams of sugar and 4 grams of fat.

Powerootz Nutritional Label

It comes in the flavors Peanut Butter Bliss and Chocolate Peanut Butter Madness, both of which are fantastic. I get the Peanut Butter Bliss knowing I can always add some raw cacao powder if I’m in the mood for chocolate.

Check out Lisa’s website, awesome blog, and of course order some Powerootz shakes for yourself! All Sexy Fit Vegan fans get 20% off your order… just use code “ELLA” at checkout and you will be hooked up 🙂Powerootz-10-percent-off-Coupon

Let me know what you think!

 

02 Nov 2015
Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month
Tags: , , , , , , ,
2 Comments

Brendan Brazier – Sexy Fit Vegan Celebrity of the Month

Brendan-Brazier

This month we honor the former professional Ironman triathlete, two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion, creator of nutritional products brand VEGA, and bestselling author of Thrive, Brendan Brazier.

brendan-brazier-by-ocean

I met Brendan many years ago through our mutual friend, pro ultra-marathoner Chad Weller… so a big thank you to Chad! Since then, I have had the pleasure getting to know Brendan, who is not only an incredible athlete, but also a talented author, businessman, and all around stand-up guy. On my recent visit to Los Angeles, Brendan kicked my ass on the Santa Monica stairs, but then I got to show off a bit when we took a kickboxing class the next day.

Brendan Brazier kickboxing with Ella at AmenzoneBrendan has an interesting story and great food-philosophies…

When and why did you become vegan? 

I was about 16, running middle distance events in high school, and trying to improve my performance. I didn’t start off vegan—I began experimenting. I tried different ways of eating, and consuming all plant-based, nutrient-dense foods made sense. I found eating a vegan diet comprised of whole foods made a big difference in that it helped me reduce inflammation it took less time for digestion, I had faster recovery times, less cramps, and less injuries. 

What inspired you to write Thrive?
The first version, only about 100 pages, was self-published in 2004. People were looking for new ways of eating and asking questions, so it was basically made up of answers to frequently asked questions delivered in a concise book form. It covered where I got my protein and iron and what meals I ate on a regular basis, along with what I ate before and after a workout, especially to speed recovery. I didn’t expect it to do well, but it did. I expanded it into The Thrive Diet in Canada and Thrive in the U.S because the word “diet” has different connotations in different countries. “Diet” implies restrictions in U.S. culture.

How did the Vega product line come to be?
I had originally planed to keep racing, and I would do a two-week tour of health food stores in Canada at the end of each season. I did that for one year, and then Vega took off. We expanded based on demand, never thinking it would grow to this point.

I had to make a decision whether I would go on pursuing triathlon or focus on growing Vega. Charles, my partner, had funded the whole project, putting everything into it even though he had a family. I wanted it to work for both of us, and I thought it would be selfish to not see it through. So I made the decision to jump fully in Vega and work on growing the business with him.

What does a healthy vegan diet plan consist of? Do you recommend eating  raw?
Eating completely raw isn’t necessary, but when some foods get cooked and denatured, they are not as useful to your body. Raw is good, but simple, unprocessed, basic whole foods are most important. Items like quinoa or sprouted bread aren’t raw, but they are basic and simple, clean nutrition. Eat mindfully with a purpose, before and after workouts. Eat for what you want to achieve.

How do you suggest people make the shift to a new diet?
It’s not all or nothing. People can dabble, and that’s fine. Over time your palate will change, and you will crave basic, simple foods. People’s taste buds are over-stimulated because they eat many refined foods. But you can recalibrate it so that you will notice many different flavors when you eat something as simple as a potato.

Brendan Brazier Products

THANK YOU BRENDAN for being such an inspiration to us all!

Learn more about Brendan Brazier, Thrive books and products, events and more on his website BrendanBrazier.com

21 Oct 2015
Vegan Fitness, Vegan-Related Current Events
Tags: , , ,
Leave a comment

Join Our 6-Week Burpee Challenge!

Burpee-Challenge-2015

The holidays will be here before we know it… time to aim high to get in the best shape of our lives before the feasting begins!

Last year’s burpee challenge was awesome! It was motivating and inspiring to take on the burpee challenge with people in my own gym, and people all over the world (thanks to Instagram/social media)! Here’s a glimpse of one of our burpee sessions (we did tuck jump burpees this day):

This year, we are changing it up, making it a 6-week journey leading up to the holidays and the release of my Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan book. We’ll focus on fitness for these six weeks with this burpee challenge, and then, with the help of the effective meal plan formula and delicious recipes in the book, we can focus on diet for the start of the new year!

So here’s the deal… Starting November 2nd, we will be performing 300 burpees per week for six weeks (ending December 13th). The “fun” addition is that each week we will be doing a different burpee variation. And yes, they get more challenging each week of course ;). You can split the 300 burpees up however you want. Doing 100 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday is one option for example. Or 50 burpees a day Monday through Saturday would work. You can of course do 300 one day and get them over with for the week… I’ve never done more than 200 in one day, and that was quite a training session so I can only imagine how challenging it would be to do 300!

I won’t overwhelm you with all six burpee variations now… let’s just start with week 1, which consists of the standard, “Crossfit” style burpee. You simply put your hands on the floor by your feet, jump back into a plank as you lower all the way to the ground. Your chest and hips both must touch the floor. You then push back up as you pop up your hips, feet landing near your hands. Come up to standing as you jump with your arms over head. That’s one repetition. 299 more and you have met the quota for the week!

Burpees are painfully awesome because they work your entire body and challenge your cardiovascular system all at once. Plus, after doing a large set I promise you’ll feel proud and accomplished!

This year let’s all share our burpee sessions:

  • on Facebook by joining the group HERE, and
  • on Instagram (@sexyfitvegan) using the hashtag #6WkBurpeeChallenge. I will be randomly choosing photos and videos to feature and be giving away some freebies as well! 

So… are you in?! Make the commitment! You won’t regret it. 

You can also go ahead and pre-order Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan so you’ll have it at your door when you wrap up this challenge!

6-week-burpee-challenge

 

19 Oct 2015
Vegan Recipes
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Protein Fettuccine with Peas and Lemon Caper Sauce

vegan-protein-pasta-dish-with-peas

This easy vegan recipe is incredibly satisfying, high in vegan protein, easy and quick to make, AND packed with nutrients!

I used Expore Asian’s Mung Bean and Edamame Fettuccine, which is not only high in protein, but also high in fiber and low in carbohydrates. Any pasta can be used however, if you don’t have this particular pasta. I discovered Banza Chickpea Pasta the other week and it’s amazing, tasting more like “regular” pasta than the Mung Bean and Edamame one. There are quite a few whole grain, even sprouted whole grain varieties of pasta on the market that are healthier then traditional white pasta and will work with this recipe. I’m all for you using my recipe as a starting point, and playing around with it based on the ingredients you have available and your taste!Mung Bean Fettuchini

Protein Fettuccine with Peas and Lemon Caper Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1/2 a package Mung Bean & Edamame Fettuccine
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
  • 2 handfuls of baby spinach
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 3 Tbsp chopped basil
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp capers
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of water to boil.
  2. Add the fettuccine and frozen peas and bring back to boil, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
  3. Drain and rinse.
  4. Put the pot back on the stove, turning the temperature to medium.
  5. Add the olive oil and garlic and saute for about 2 minutes.
  6. Add the spinach and lemon juice, and continue to saute.
  7. When the spinach begins to wilt, add the basil, parsley, and capers, and saute for another minute.
  8. Add the pasta and peas back into the pot and mix with the sauce until hot.
  9. Add sea salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Enjoy!

If you try any modifications let us know how it turns out!

 

16 Oct 2015
Uncategorized, Vegan Fitness
Tags: , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Choose the Right Vegan Running Shoe

Vegan-Running-Shoes

If running is a part of your exercise routine and you care about animals and supporting cruelty companies, this blog post on vegan running shoes is for you!

Let’s talk about picking the right running shoe for your individual needs first. Here are 5 things that need to be taken into consideration when choosing the best shoe for you.

1. Pronation

Pronation has to do with how your foot rolls in or out, or stays straight. The following illustrations from BuzzFeed do a great job showing you what this looks like. There are different types of shoes that work best for each type.

Normal Pronation for a vegan runner

Overpronation for Vegan Runners

Underpronation for Vegan Runners

Images Credit: Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

2. Foot Strike

Foot strike refers to what part of your foot hits the ground first when running. There is the forefront strike, midfoot strike, and heel strike. There seems to be some inconsistencies among experts when it comes to which is the “best.” A midfoot strike may cause the least impact on your joints, but it seems to also depend on your own body mechanics and the shoe you choose. Changing your shoe to one with a lower heel can be helpful if you tend to heel strike and are having joint pain.

3. Cushion

How much cushion do you want between your foot and the ground? This infographic from RoadRunnerSports illustrates the different levels of cushion. The best one for you will depend on what feels most comfortable and works best with your body mechanics.

Cushion Level for vegan runners

 

 

4. How many miles you run per week

The more miles you run, the more durable your shoe needs to be. 

5. Shoe Size

Generally speaking, your running shoe should be at least 1/2 a size larger then your “normal” shoe size. This is because your feet swell and spread during your run. For some people, including myself, a full size larger end up being the most comfortable when running more than a couple miles. 

I recommend finding a specialized running store where the staff will help you figure out the best running shoe for your needs. Find a store that has a treadmill so your gate can be examined to determine the answers to all the questions I mentioned. 

Now for making sure you buy a cruelty free/vegan running shoe. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! A ton of companies use synthetic materials instead of leather, and some quality companies are completely vegan-friendly. PETA created a great infographic to help us be informed about running shoe companies vegan status: 

 

vegan-running-shoe-guideI hope this helps you on your quest to find the right vegan running shoe. Any runners out there that have other tips please share!